Vulnerability = Strength and Peace
If you think a suit of armor makes you stronger, imagine the strength is takes to walk around confidently without it.
“There is no peace without vulnerability.” I am not sure who originally said this but I embraced these words spoken many times by my yoga teacher. It’s the antithesis of, “If you want peace prepare for war,” a Roman quote of Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus. Hmmmm, P.F.V.R., who hurt you?
Vulnerability, openness, willingness, and trust go hand in hand with faith. Through the door of faith, walking the path with vulnerability, we can find peace and strength. Faith can be found in many ways; the intention of the Universe/Source/God, the power of love, and self.
Peace and strength are found in faith that one’s life is designed FOR them, not happening to them. In that way, we live as the hero of our own life story; growing and learning as we navigate all that comes our way. This mindest also brings peace because we surrender control and let go of illusions. If we feel life is happening to us, we are the victim in our own story. Further, we don’t have peace because we feel like we need to guard against bad things happening. If we understand that we are here with a purpose and that we have the strength to handle what ever comes our way, we are free to enjoy more.
I believe in the good at the heart of us all. I try not use defenses or a show or power to protect myself from a person. I try to have footing in my own abilities and feel grounded in my faith. Let them come at me. I will not crumble. I will not behave as they do. And I will not be exhausted by trying to out maneuver them. If they do not add to me, or bring good, I will set boundaries (That last part took me a while, I have to admit.). The yin to the yang of openness is knowing our boundaries and having the strength to establish them.
We equate vulnerability with risk. Is not the greater risk living a small life out of fear? It’s tough to live in your head, envisioning your demise or what could hurt you - especially in the case of love. If our heart is under lock and key out of fear of being hurt, we will never experience its vastness.
Finding the line of balance will look different for all of us. We all have different tendencies and perspectives. Over all however, I do believe that a life of holding up armor and building barriers detracts from our potential. If we are on guard, preparing for battle, is that energy not wasted? Might we not hear or receive the messages meant for us? I imagine a knight in armor standing guard, his arms tired from holding his shield, missing life as he waits for danger. Doesn’t that sound exhausting? What if were are so busy keeping bad out, that we don’t let good in?
I’m not saying throw on some roller skates and head for a hill with no protective gear! That’s not peace that’s terror. There is a difference between vulnerable and reckless. But go skating by all means! Meet people. Be you. Do something new. Open your heart to someone. Live life as if you cannot sink.
